Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Lakes in cold ecoregions, Shallow lakes
Sulphate concentration
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Physico-chemical parameters |
| Responding parameter | Sulphate concentration |
Response description
With less precipitation in El Nino- years and resulting droughts, stored reduced S in anoxic zones (wetlands) are oxidised during drought, with subsequently high sulphate export rates after droughts. Elevated sulphate concentrations in lakes (in spite of decreased atmospheric sulphate) will be the results. Sulphate concentrations in lakes are strongly predicted by regional/global scale climate indices (SOI, ENSO) and sulphate deposition indices. Large-scale climate factors play a major role in determining the response of lakes to sulphate deposition and recovery.
Secondary effects
Elevated sulphate concentration confounds recovery of lake ecosystems from acidification.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Limited to lakes with silicious catchments prone to acidification
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Borealic Uplands (20), Tundra (21), Fennoscandian Shield (22), Taiga (23)
Suggested indicator
Sulphate concentration
Justification of indicator
; Directly reflecting the responding parameter; Often incorporated into routine water quality monitoring
Reference(s)
Aherne, J., T. Larssen, P.J. Dillon, B.J. Cosby (2004): Effects of climate events on environmental fluxes from forested catchments in Ontario, Canada: Modelling drought-induced redox processes. Water, Air and Soil Pollution: Focus 4: 37-48.
Dillon, P.J., K.M. Somers, J. Findeis & M.C. Eimers (2003): Coherent response of lakes in Ontario, Canada to reductions in sulphur deposition: the effect of climate on sulphate concentrations. Hydrology and Earth Sytem Sciences 7(4): 583-595.
